Report: Cape trooper held for 90 minutes before sobriety test

Robert Gilmore pulled over by state police

An off-duty Massachusetts state trooper who was allegedly driving drunk in Bourne last month was not given a field sobriety test or arrested until 90 minutes after being detained by police.

According to the Cape Cod Times, Trooper Robert Gilmore Jr., 39, was “consensually detained” after he was pulled over on March 4.

Law enforcement experts told the Times that most drivers pulled over for alleged drunk driving are tested immediately. A substance-abuse expert told the paper that any delay makes a difference when measuring blood-alcohol content and sobriety.

State police spokesman David Procopio said in an email that it was “not uncommon” for field sobriety tests to be performed on drivers at the barracks.

Gilmore, who was on medical leave for an injured knee, was pulled over by state police on Route 28 after town police received reports of an erratic driver. A woman also called to say someone was trying to run her off the road.

The 14-year department veteran pleaded not guilty to drunken driving charges and was released on personal recognizance after his arraignment.

State police said they were conducting an internal investigation.

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